Sandpaper Verbena

Plant Type: perennial
Plant Height: 12-18 inches
Spread: 24-36 inches
Flower Color: purple or violet
Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Sandpaper Verbena: Vibrant Color and Unique Texture for Your Garden

Sandpaper Verbena (Verbena rigida) is a striking perennial plant loved for its vivid purple blooms and distinctive, textured foliage. Native to South America, this resilient plant has become a favorite in gardens worldwide for its beauty, drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in various conditions. Whether used as a ground cover or a border plant, Sandpaper Verbena adds bold color and a unique texture to landscapes, making it an essential addition for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, eye-catching plant.

Key Features of Sandpaper Verbena

1. Vibrant Purple Blooms
   The standout feature of Sandpaper Verbena is its dense clusters of small, vibrant purple or violet flowers. These colorful blooms appear in summer and continue well into fall, creating a long-lasting display of bold color. Positioned on stiff, upright stems, the flowers form a vivid contrast against the plant’s textured foliage, making Sandpaper Verbena a focal point in any garden.

2. Distinctive Foliage
   True to its name, Sandpaper Verbena features leaves with a rough, sandpaper-like texture. The foliage is medium green, lance-shaped, and adds an interesting textural element to garden beds and borders. This unique texture not only sets the plant apart but also adds depth and interest to garden compositions.

3. Spreading Growth Habit
   Sandpaper Verbena’s low-growing, spreading habit makes it an ideal ground cover. As it spreads, it forms a dense mat of green foliage topped with colorful blooms, effectively filling garden spaces and suppressing weeds. Its mat-forming habit also makes it a great choice for borders, rock gardens, and even containers where its trailing growth can be showcased.

4. Drought Tolerance and Pollinator-Friendly
   Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, Sandpaper Verbena is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for xeriscaping and low-water-use gardens. It attracts butterflies and other pollinators, enhancing the ecological diversity and vitality of any garden.

Growing and Caring for Sandpaper Verbena

• Sunlight: Requires full sun to achieve the best blooms and dense growth.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerant of sandy and rocky conditions.
• Watering: Low water needs; drought-tolerant once established.
• Maintenance: Minimal care; occasional deadheading promotes more blooms.

Landscape Uses

Sandpaper Verbena is versatile and can add beauty to various garden settings:

• Ground Cover: Provides a vibrant, dense carpet of color and greenery for open spaces.
• Borders and Edging: Its low-growing form is perfect for defining garden edges with color and texture.
• Containers and Rock Gardens: Ideal for adding height, texture, and a splash of color in mixed plantings.

Summary

Sandpaper Verbena is a resilient, low-maintenance plant valued for its vibrant blooms, unique foliage, and adaptability to a range of garden conditions. With its bold purple flowers, sandpaper-textured leaves, and ability to attract pollinators, it’s a practical yet visually captivating addition to gardens. Its ability to provide continuous color from summer through fall, combined with its ease of care, makes Sandpaper Verbena a top choice for gardeners looking to enrich their outdoor spaces with texture, color, and ecological benefits.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Sandpaper Verbena

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal growth and blooming)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 1-2 feet apart for a compact growth habit
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: Sandpaper Verbena is a low-growing, spreading perennial that requires no staking

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 3-4 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1 inch of water per session for deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Sandpaper Verbena is considered established after 2-3 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 6-12 inches away from the base of the plant for even watering
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour
• Number of Emitters: 1 emitter per plant for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: In summer, increase watering frequency to every 5-7 days. In winter, reduce to every 3-4 weeks